HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. - Hula Aloha Dancers perform at the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month luncheon at the Minuteman Club May 25. These dancers have been performing in the New England region since 1994. (U.S. Air Force photo by Linda LaBonte Britt)

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Dr. Sondra Albano (right), Airman and Family Readiness Center flight chief, watches Ting-Shuo Che do calligraphy during the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month luncheon at the Minuteman Club May 25. In addition to calligraphy, the luncheon showcased Asian and Pacific dance demonstrations, a special guest speaker and more. (U.S. Air Force photo by Linda LaBonte Britt)

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Col. Cordell DeLaPena (right), Airborne Network Division director, presents a gift to Wade Ishimoto, Special Assistant to the Deputy Undersecretary of the Navy May 25 at the Minuteman Club. Mr. Ishimoto, the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month luncheon guest speaker, was one of the original members of 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, which was formed in 1977. He also served as the intelligence officer and security team leader on the April 1980 attempt to rescue 53 Americans in Iran. (U.S. Air Force photo by Linda LaBonte Britt)

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Col. Cordell DeLaPena, Airborne Network Division director, speaks about his experiences as a Filipino-American Air Force officer in the atrium of Building 1624 May 19. Colonel DeLaPena’s presentation was part of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month activities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Mark Wyatt)

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Susumu Ito (right) shakes hands with Capt. Phil Yim after speaking to a group in the Concord Auditorium May 23 about his experiences as a member of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team during World War II. The 442nd RCT was a segregated unit, comprised entirely of Nisei, or second generation Japanese Americans. The event was part of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month activities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Linda LaBonte Britt)

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Maj. Lisa Gambrel (left) serves food to Capt. Elizabeth Baker during the Asian Pacific American Heritage multi-cultural food tasting at the Base Chapel May 12. Samplings of cuisine from a variety of Asian and Pacific countries were available during the event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Linda LaBonte Britt)

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Students learn Tae Kwon Do from an instructor during the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month food tasting at the Base Chapel May 12. The tae kwon do instructors from Mu Han Martial Arts also gave a demonstration for the food tasting attendees. (U.S. Air Force photo by Linda LaBonte Britt)

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – As part of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month activities, Don Seta speaks to Hanscom Middle School sixth graders about Japanese immigration to America on May 9. Mr. Seta explained that the month of May was chosen for APAHM to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants. APAHM committee member Trevor Railey also spoke about Asian Pacific-Islander sports figures during the presentation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Mark Wyatt)

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Capt. Elizabeth Baker assists Yavanni Ensley with making an origami tulip at the School Age program May 4. Asian Pacific American Heritage Month committee members visited the School Age program to help the children make tulips for Mother’s Day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Linda LaBonte Britt)

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Col. Stacy L. Yike (center), 66th Air Base Group commander, speaks with members of the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month committee before signing a proclamation declaring May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month on base. Many events and activities will take place to celebrate the month. (U.S. Air Force photo by Mark Herlihy)

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Stephen Puleo speaks about his book, Due to Enemy Action, to a large crowd in the atrium of Building 1624 on March 18. Mr. Puleo is a Boston-based author, historian and university teacher. Due to Enemy Action is a World War II story of a small U.S. subchaser, Eagle 56, caught in the cross hairs of a German U-boat. (U.S. Air Force photo by Linda LaBonte Britt)